He was born in Gravenhurst, Ontario, the son of Joseph Francis Hanna and May Robena Sinclair. In 1917, Hanna married Anna Mary Miles. He served as mayor of Alberni for five years. Hanna was defeated by Colin Cameron when he ran for reelection in 1937. He later served as county court judge for Nanaimo County. Hanna died in Nanaimo at the age of 87.